With Michael Jackson enjoying a huge resurgence in popularity following the success of the Michael biopic, there are plenty of new fans discovering his music, his legacy and, of course, the world of Michael Jackson fandom.
But for those new fans who may be wondering what exactly is MJBackstage?, let us take you back a little…
MJBackstage is a Belgian fan magazine that began in 1993 and became one of the best-known French-language publications dedicated to Michael Jackson and the entire Jackson family. For years, it offered fans interviews, news, reports and exclusive content, following in the tradition of legendary fan magazines such as France’s Black & White.
But MJBackstage also has a rather interesting history when it comes to saying goodbye.
In 2016, the team announced that the magazine was ending its printed activities after years of dedication. Like many fan publications, it faced the difficult reality of the digital world and the decreasing number of fans willing to purchase physical magazines.
That appeared to be the end of the story.
Except… it wasn’t.
In 2018, MJBackstage announced a new yearly printed concept called MJBackstage After Party. Unfortunately, the project was later shelved amid the difficult period surrounding Leaving Neverland and then the COVID-19 pandemic.
Then, in 2020, the magazine returned again with Issue 32, using a print-on-demand model and offering fans a look behind the scenes of the HIStory teaser, an interview with TJ Jackson and plenty of Jackson family content.
And then, after another period of silence…
Here we are again.
With the Michael biopic bringing Michael Jackson back to the centre of the world’s attention, the timing could hardly be better for another MJBackstage comeback. The magazine has announced that its new Issue 3.3 will be released at the end of October.
The new issue promises to take fans behind the scenes of the Michael biopic, including its secrets, the involvement of the Jackson family, reactions from fans, stars and experts, and the work behind the film’s makeup.
And because it wouldn’t really be MJBackstage without some exclusive content, the magazine is also promising interviews with Vincent Paterson, one of Michael Jackson’s legendary choreographers, and Dieter Wiesner, Michael’s former manager and business partner. There will also be reports on Paris Jackson and The Jacksons, exclusive photos and, according to the magazine, a few more surprises.
MJBackstage says: “Because some passions never go away.”
And perhaps that is true.
In the Michael Jackson fan world, some projects retire. Some go silent. And some return, sometimes more than once.
But whenever Michael Jackson finds himself back in the middle of the world’s attention, something interesting seems to happen. Old projects wake up, familiar names return, and suddenly there is once again plenty happening in the fan community.
Coincidence? Maybe.
Passion? Quite possibly.
Perfect timing? Definitely.
For those new fans discovering Michael Jackson and the world around him, MJBackstage offers a chance to discover a piece of the older fan community. And for longtime fans, it is another opportunity to revisit a familiar name.
After all, in the world of Michael Jackson fandom, it seems that saying goodbye is sometimes just another way of saying: See you when the timing is right.
MJBackstage 3.3 will be released at the end of October 2026, and pre-orders are now open.
Fans can pre-order the magazine here:
